One of the most remarkable new features of the beautifully restored Town Hall on Széchenyi Square is its magnificent carillon, installed on the building’s façade. Combining modern technology with the centuries-old art of bell casting, the instrument first rang out in the spring of 2026 and has since filled Esztergom’s historic main square with beautiful melodies every day. Created as part of the Town Hall’s extensive renovation, the carillon invites both locals and visitors to pause for a moment and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the city’s historic centre.
The instrument consists of 25 professionally tuned bells spanning two octaves. They were crafted by the world-renowned Grassmayr Bell Foundry in Innsbruck, Austria – one of the oldest bell foundries in the world, operated by the same family for 16 generations. What makes the Esztergom carillon especially unique is that each bell has been given its own name, honouring important figures and symbols from the city’s rich history, culture, and religious heritage.
An automated system plays a selection of melodies three times a day, with the musical programme changing regularly throughout the year. Echoing across the historic square, the music creates a distinctive atmosphere while adding a new cultural landmark to Esztergom’s heritage. The carillon is both a tribute to the city’s past and a symbol of its future, serving as a fitting addition to the Town Hall, which has stood at the service of Esztergom for more than three centuries.
The naming of the bells became a true community project, with local residents invited to participate in the selection process. Today, the bells bear the names of distinguished historical, cultural, and religious figures associated with Esztergom, including Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Archbishop Tamás Bakócz, Bálint Balassi, Blessed Gisela, Blessed Özséb, János Bottyán, Sándor Csoóri, Ferenc Einczinger, Jenő Etter, Grand Prince Géza, King Béla IV, Friar Julian, Franz Liszt, Our Lady of Hungary, József Mindszenty, Károly Palkovics, Péter Pázmány, János Simor, Saint Adalbert, Saint Stephen, Török Sophie, Kolos Vaszary, and János Vitéz. The twenty-fifth bell is dedicated to Esztergom itself, proudly honouring Hungary’s first city.
If you’re visiting Széchenyi Square, it’s well worth timing your visit to hear the carillon perform. The bells play daily at 12:00, 4:00 PM, and 8:00 PM, filling Esztergom’s historic city centre with enchanting melodies and creating an unforgettable atmosphere.
